Wayne Winston Sharp was adopted at birth by two loving and inspirational parents, Bob Henry and Mayana Yates Sharp, in Dallas, Texas, and was raised on the family’s “Knickerbocker” ranch near San Angelo. But the “Knickerbocker Kid went Global” after meeting President Eisenhower in January 1957 (the first of 5 US Presidents), and living 6 months in Argentina with 5 different families as an “International 4-H Youth Exchange” (IFYE) representative from Texas. His global career took him to over 75 countries, enabling him to learn about many cultures, and enjoy great music in the most famous music halls, ranging from Buenos Aires to Vienna.
After receiving his Ph.D. (International Trade & Finance) at Michigan State University, including studying Russian for 2 years and 3-months travel “behind the iron curtain” in the former Soviet Union for his doctoral thesis on “East-West Trade” in 1967, Wayne had a distinguished 25-year career as an International Economist in the U.S. Foreign Service. He was twice awarded the “President’s Meritorious Foreign Service Award”, and served 2 years in the White House as an Assistant Director of the President’s Council on International Economic Policy, 1974-76. He served as a U.S. Diplomat, with his family, in the US Embassies in Guatemala, Paris and the European Communities in Brussels, and his languages were Spanish, French and Russian.
Upon his retirement in 1991, he became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), developed and for 18 years directed a very successful, client-focused Financial Planning Practice, known as Sharp, Konopaske & Associates, which he turned over to his business Partner, Gregg S. Konopaske, in June 2009.
Wayne now devotes his professional economic, financial and leadership skills as a volunteer and philanthropist in the areas of Adoption, Children’s Health, Musical Arts, and his Community Association. Wayne and his wife of 46 years, Linda, have resided in McLean, Virginia since 1972 (excluding 1976 to 1983 on diplomatic assignments), both are active in community affairs and charitable organizations, and have two adult children, Catherine Lynette Sharp of Rosalyn, Virginia, and Stephen Wayne Sharp, and his wife, Peggy, who reside in Mountain View, California.
Wayne and Linda became involved with the McLean Orchestra about a decade ago when they attended an Annual Patron’s Gala—“Putting on the Ritz”, and became long time supporters. After attending concerts as season ticket holders at the Kennedy Center for many years, there were delighted to find “Great music, right at home”, and with such a friendly ambience. Increasingly, they became more involved with the Orchestra, and especially the McLean Youth Orchestra. Wayne was elected to the Board in June 2007, and utilizing his Financial Planning Skills, initiated and Chaired the “Legacy Gift Planning Task Force”. In June 2009, he was elected as the Vice-President.
On April 1, 2010, Wayne suddenly became President, upon the unexpected resignation of his predecessor, and was confronted with a backlog of major issues. He immediately called an emergency Board meeting to help support the upcoming “Casino Night Gala” on April 17, in May met with Fairfax Park Officials to arrange for the first “Concert in the Park: A Musical Salute to Our Military” on September 10, and arranged for and led a two day “Strategic Planning Retreat, July 10-11, establishing the vision for our orchestras to be known as the “Musical Treasures of the Northern Virginia Arts Community”. Numerous committees were established to help fulfill this vision, and implement the agreed upon top goals and key priorities. After three highly successful fundraisers, an outstanding 2010/11 “Season of Enchantment”, and a broader donor base, the Orchestra’s finances were considerable enhanced.
Wayne then focused on ensuring that the Orchestra’s 40th anniversary, 2011/12 “A Season of Celebration” brought wide recognition and appropriate acclaim to the Orchestra. On September 10, 2011, the second annual “Musical Salute to Our Military” was held at Vincent Hall Retirement Community, the home of over 400 veterans and their families. For the season opening concert, “Fireworks”, on October 8, Wayne arranged for a special presentation by a Virginia Delegate of a Joint Resolution by the Virginia Assembly, recognizing the Orchestra for providing outstanding classical music performance for 40 years, and insuring music education and training for the next generation of musicians through the McLean Youth Orchestra. Utilizing his diplomatic skills, Wayne helped arrange for the 40th Anniversary Patron’s Gala, a Venetian Masquerade Ball, to be held at the beautiful and elegant Embassy of Italy on April 14, 2012.
Wayne now serves as the “Immediate Past President”. In addition to serving as an advisor to the President, and a member of the “Executive Committee”, Wayne continues to focus on his goal of establishing the “McLean Orchestra Presidents Club”, composed of the 20 past presidents, who will serve as the “Good Will Ambassadors” for the Orchestra and promote new funding initiatives, including the establishment of an endowment. Also, the Immediate Past President is responsible for Chairing the “Strategic Planning Committee”, which is Wayne’s “forte”—hence the genesis, plus his service as President, for his membership in the “Forte Leadership Circle”.
Wayne and Linda plan to spend more time traveling abroad, visiting family and friends, and cruising on their yacht, the FUNDAY III. Also, Wayne will focus more on completing his Life History though a program he started in March 2009, and participating the Department of State’s “Oral History Program” for former distinguished Diplomats in the US Foreign Service. Not surprisingly, the working title of Wayne’s life history is “The Knickerbocker Kid Goes Global—My Life and It’s Not About the New York Knicks”. And his service on the Board and leadership of the McLean Orchestra will occupy a major chapter.
